The Oamaru Mail. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1908.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXV, Issue 10016, 5 December 1908, Page 2

The Oamaru Mail. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 5, 1908.

If Britain is to be mistress of the seas—if she is to protect her own nuLE trade and that of those disbeitaxnia. tant dependencies which contribute to her . -wealth, importance, and power—her subjects must do something more than sing r _ " Rule Britannia," however vigorously. This reflection is induced by the visit to the colonies of Lieut. luiox, an interesting and instructive interview with whom is published elsewhere in this issue. _ Lieut. Knox has a mission. His design in coming to these Southern parts is to inspire the offspring of the Mother Country with a sense of their indebtedness for the protection which they enjoy and to which thev h£ve become so accustomed that they almost forget the source of it. Colonists are not given to the folly of swaggering—they are not fire-eaters —they are just plain folk; but they are not prepared to surrender anv of the advantages of perfect freedom." Any risk of being deprived of them if they were conscious of itwould be met by -rompt and determined action. Is there any such risk?— That depends upon their practical loyalty to the source whence they sprang—of whose might they are proud, and whose protective arm reaches them even at the ends of the earth. Restless Milan is perpetually changing the situation. Britannia still •'rules tne waves," it is true, but. that is because she has always kept her navy infinitely superior to that of any other power. It is strength—the capacity to exercise might—that begets respect and security. To-dav Britain is sought after-to-morrow, if she were incapable through the greater advancement of contending nations, of holding her own, she would be treated with no greater consideration than a Balkan State. What, then, would become of New Zealand and the other colonies? What of the peace and prosperity in which they revel through the freedom with which their people are able to send their products across the seas? All that would he changed. We should then have other patrons, who might be our masters. To those who have never experienced anything but the blessings of absolute protection—who have taken for granted all the advantages which accrue through their association with a mighty Empire—this is unthinkable. But it is better that we should give some thought to such a possibility before than after the fact. The only guarantee of the continuance of existing conditions is the nation's inherent canacity to maintain them against all possible encroaclmients, and the only wav to secure that capacity is to keep the navy up to the highest possible standard of efficiency—to have good' ships and plenty of them.

The Little Englanders and the Fabians disagree with this policy, and englaxd favor arbitration,'which, howa srECK. ever, has failed; hut that is because they are not in office and invest* 1 with the momentous responsibility of directing the nation's affairs. Without h<r colonies Britain's potentialities would be gone. A mere speck in the North Sea, she could not maintain her national magnificence. The expense of an all-powerful navy is enormous, but the only alternative is war, which would be still more expensive, and might end no one knows where, or in what. Who will dispute that :f the British Navy had been weak enough Britain would long since have been t.'ied upon to fight for her position amongst the nations, and, perhaps, for her unrestrained liberty, or even her life? Nothing can be had in this world without the expenditure of money, .and it is certain that, with covetotisness rampant—with a nation longing to shatter England's igiory with "villainous saltpetre"—either much of Britain's wealth must be expended in effective preparations for war, or it will be taken by another who has made herself the mistress of the seas in her place. Then, where should wo all be? The answer is obvious. Now, the summing up of all this is that, whilst NewZealand contributes its quota, as a State, to the cost of the British Navy—which in 19C6, was £60,000, but fell to £57,000 in i 1907, though Germany's fleet was enormously increased and is increasing through the building of ships—New Zealanders are under an obligation to give something out of the fulness of their purses and hearts towards the nation's greatest necessity. New Zealand's contribution, during many years, has been the paltry sum of £40,000. It is now £IOO,OOO, which is much more reasonable, but how inadequate, when the services rendered are estimated! It is not much more than a subsidy for a postal service. No New Zealander should think that his help would necessarily be onlysmall and is not required. If everybody argued thus nobody would give anything or do anything. Every man should act in regard to anything that is desirable as though the realisation of it depended upon his own individual effort. The Empire's Navy League deserves encouragement. Its membership is less, than 300,000, whilst, the membership of the recently constituted Navy League of Germany is a million. We can all do something, and many of us can do a great deal, to swell the league's income, so that its capacity to advance its propaganda and arouse Britons to a sense of their peril and obligations may be enhanced. As the outcome of Lieut. Knox's visit the league's membership should be largely increased and the people's attention directed to the seriousness of the situation, so that they maydo their utmost to check any encroachments on the nation's honor, trade, and freedom. As the ballot for Kauroo sections, which will, as we have already notified, number 35, including grazing runs from 3000 to 800 acres and arable farms from 500 to 100 acres, will take place early in the year —probably in February—it "is appropriate that we should once more impress upon the Government the desirableness of I

re-issuing the descriptive guide pamphlets which have been felt to be so useful to applicants. The ex-Minister for Lands (Mr M'Xah) discontinued to provide them because of the expense; but often more copies were printed than were required 1 , and, if the iState cannot afford to contribute a few pence to help a seeker after land and for the sake of settlement, then let a charge be made. The experts' report as to the nature of the land to be disposed of was much esteemed. Another change which was a retrograde step was the omission from the notifications of the ballot of the rentals per acre, which helpeel applicants to realise at a glance what they had to pay and facilitated their calculations.

Members of the King's Rifles Volunteer Company assembled in the social room at tire Drill Hall last, evening for the purpose of formally farewelling one of thennumber, Corporal Aitken, who is leaving Oamaru to enter into a situation in Dunedin. The evening passed away pleasantly, the enthusiasm displayed bearing excellent testimony to Corporal Aitkcn's popularity. Captain. Morris presided, and an asking Corporal Aitken to accept a handsome dressing case as «. slight token of ihis comrades' Tegard for the latler's many good qualities, remarked that a good volunteer under existing conditions meant that a man was not only honest and upright, but that he was amenable to discipline. The other officers present I also spoke in eulogistic terms of Corporal I Aitkcn's connection with the company. I Private Saville, another member who is leaving Oamaru for Dunedin, wa.s also to liave been farewe'lled by his comrades, but he was unable to be present, He was, however, this morning presented with a case of military .brushes as an indication of the esteem in which he was held. During the month of November the output from the Seddonville State coal mine totalled 4736 tons. Of this 4122 tons were shipped, the balance being local sales. We acknowledge receipt of a seasonable souvenir from Mr W. Strachan in the

shape of a handy blotter. The s.s. Corinna is due at Oamaru tomorrow night to load for Wellington and New Plymouth. It is pleasing to hear that the losses which it was thought pastoralists would sustain in the shape of decreased wool clips as the outcome of the recent severe snowstorms are not likely to be so severe as was at first anticipated, and when this ■ fact is considered in. conjunction with the satisfactory increase in the price of the staole production there is room for pardonable jubilation. We are assured that, taken altogether, the clip will be well up to the average, although there are one or two cases wnere the individual losses win be <»reat. A large number of the smaller sheds in the district are nearly through with their shearing or have already cut out On Monday a start will be made at Omarama, Morven Hills shed will be opened on Tuesday, and the Ruggea Ridges shed on Thursday. Not only is the "total yield of wool likely to be well up to the average, but the quality of that so far dealt with is of a high standard, in ■proof of which it may be mentioned that up to 9d for halfbred and three-quarter-bred has already been obtained for wool grown on country greatly affected by the winter snows. . ~,,-,* Mr Blair Mason, Engineer to the Otago Harbor Board, to whom the Standing Committee of the Oamaru Harbor Board decided at their meeting yesterday to refer Mr W.'H. Paterson's scheme lor dredging the harbor, has consented to advise the Board, and for that purpose will be a visitor to Oamaru by to-day s second express train from Dunedm. We are informed bv the Chief Postmaster that arrangements have been made with the Union Steam Ship Company for ■, mail service from Wellington to Ra.roand Papeete (Tahiti), connecting with the United States mail service between Papeete and San Francisco. the frequency of the service will be ten times a year, ' and the average time W ellmgton to San Francisco 24 days, and to London 34 to 35 days. The first outward mail will leave Wellington on the 3rd ot January next. Steamers will call at Rarotonga on the passages to and fiom P Since 6 ' Thursday the AVaitaki river has been in excellent condition for fishing, and there have been some fine catches, including two 18-pounders and three 14oounders. One of the latter, with five other good fish, were caught at the river mouth last, night and this morning by Mr H. M'lntyre. of Glenavy. The absence of rain 1.-« caused the farmers in the Glenavy .-U-:ct, as m all other districts of North Otago. to feel ' anxious regarding tlvj prospects. On the liirht land the oat crop has withered oft a' ' Treat deal, and. although the wheat is ' holdinc very well so far,'unless ram conies soon, there will be a great deficiency in ■ the yield. The oats are coming out in very'short ear in many places, and feed, : which has hitherto plentiful, has 1 been gcinsr off rapidly for some time. ' The Marama will leave Wellington for 1 Sydney just before midnight on Thurs- ' day. 24th inst,, in nlace of the usual time • on' Friday. The English mail to con- - nect with the Marama will close at > Oamaru on Wednesday, the 23rd inst.. at ' 10.30 a.m., instead of Thursday, the usual

day of closing. Chief Land Commissioner Barron, Sir Humphries (Surveyor General) and Mr Sl'Kerrow (of the Land Purchase Board) visited the Kauroo Estate this week, their mission being in connection -with the subdivision of the estate. The surveyors are now busy subdividing, and we understand that the work is likely to be completed about New Year. Considering the differences that have arisen in regard to the subdivision of estates previously acquired for closer settlement, it is to be hoped that the Board will be guided by practical experience in the matter of adjusting the boundaries. It is also to be hoped, in the (interest of the large number who are certain to participate in the ballot, that arrangements will be made for holding this before harvesting operations commence. For some weeks oast the Salvation Army junior corps have been practising for their anniversary services, which will take place in the Barracks to-morrow. Under the leadership of Major Ross, from Christchurch, at 3 p.m., the prizes will be distributed to the children, who will-oc-cupy positions on the platform and render several songs and recitations, etc., also at 7 p.m., when a company of 50 children will sing a number of new company pongs, etc. On Slondav at 8 p.m. a two-hours delightful programme will be given by the "juveniles, for which these budding Salvationists have such an excellent reputation. On Sunday evening a silver collection is solicited ; on Slonday one shilling. Constables Murphy and Nuttall have' been transferred to Christchurch, mid their places here will be filled by Constables Laiigmuir and Hollands, of tho Christchurch force. The transfer will operate from the §th instant. Sir R. T. Ait-ken, Otago agent for the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, has been in Oaniaru for the past few days seeking contributions from friends of the dumb animals whose welfare is guarded by means of voluntarysubscriptions. Srr Aitken has met with gratifying success in Jiis canvass of tho town.

At the Warden' 6 Court at Livingstone yesterday, before the Warden, Mr T. Hutchison, the following applications were granted : —George Adams (Mr W. Grave), application to surrender mining privilege ; James Fyfe, application for Tenewal of gold buyers' license; Charles Adams (Mr Grave), application for tail-race ; John Christian (Mr Grave), application to surrender mininsr privilege; D. L. weir (MrGrave), application to surrender mining privilege; Messrs Adams and Weir (Mr Grave), application for claim. Messrs Gresham, Watson, and- Co., Thames street, report having sold by auction the following properties:—On account of the Borough Council —Lease of section 8, block 26, Tees street, Oamaru. with dwellings and improvements thereon, for a term of 21 years, at the upset annual rental, to Mr Milne. Lease of section 6. block 46, Reed street, Oamaru, with dwellings and improvements thereon, for a term of 21 years, at the upset annual rental, to Mrs Davidson. Lease of section 9, block 68, Tare street, Oamaru. for a term of 12 months, at the upset rental, to :Mr Smith. Lease of section 12, block 67, Yare street, for a term of 12 months, at the upset rental, to Mr John Sullivan. Freehold section 3, block 74, Arun street, Oamaru. with 5-roomed dwelling house and all improvements, to Mr Allan. Despite the fine weather, the potato blight has made its appearance (states the Auckland Herald), and has played havoc with crops, which a few days ago appeared strong, vigorous, and healthy. The disease, however, does not appear to be so prevalent as it was last season. Mr K. B. Haldane, Secretary for War, recently said that of lute the scaremongers had been at work in regard to the territorial force. He contended that there was considerable vitality in the movement, especially in recruiting. It had not stood still in the autumn "months as was the

case of (ho volunteers. In July the number of officers and men in the territorial force was about 184.000. That was not bad for less than four months' work, lhat number had since been increased to over two hundred thousand, and he knew that recruiting was steadily going on. With resard to the army as a whole, they could put in operation a much larger force today than thev could two years ago, and a still larger armv than they could ten years a"o.' In a few months' time it would be lamer still. He did not want the public to think the "British army was going clown. Indeed, he could say it was 'never more effective than it was at the present moment. Prior to leaving for Australia, the lion. R. M'Xab. according to the Hastings Standard, in a letter to a friend there, stated:—"lt is hard to say what the future has in store for myself. Yon may depend upon it that every olfort will be made to get back once more into the l.uliament of the country." Mr W. L. Wallace, of Tiinaru, who was a member of the scientific expedition which lias just completed a ten months sojourn on Sunday Island, the main island of the Kermadec tiroup, suggests an explanation of the sea serpent- stones. He says that in October hundreds of hump-b'uck&d whales were seen oft the islands playing about and apparently thoroughly enjoying themselves. A lavorite practice'of the animals is to rear themselves right out of the water, until they seem to be standing on their fails. and then fall back with a great commotion. The huge carcase raised in tinair in this manner might easily be taken for the head and neck of some reptilian monster. .... A parishioner of mine suffering twin severe Lung Troubles finds Baxters J.aiu; Preserve gives him the most wonderfu re li e f.—Signed, J. A. .Jacobs, Vicar, Wan- ' ganui, October 29th, 1908.

According to the New York correspondent of the London Telegraph, it is reported that the salary Mr Roosevelt will receive- as associate-editor of the American ten-cent weekly magazine, the Outlook, is to be £6OOO 'annually, dating from the time ho assumes Iks duties. Mr Roosevelt's hunting trip will cover more than the expenses of his visit to Africa, because he has contracted to write descriptions for a magazine at the higest rate ever paid to a magazine writer. Neither the President's private secretary nor the editor of the Outlook, when questioned, would deny or affirm lhat Mr Rooseveltwould become associate-editor. The President is not a rich man, ami .as the Constitution does .not make provision for pensions to ex-Presidents, most people believed that he would undertake some remunerative appointment as soon as the opportunity afforded. Ex-President Cleveland, it will bo recalled, undertook i'isurance work and died poor. Many Aii.j-l-icaus think the country should provile ex-Presidents with sufficient funds to live in dignity, if not luxury, for the rest of their lives. As regards Mr Roosevelt, most people admit that lie has worked hard enough to deserve a pension. After a, long, exhausting illness, when health .is slow about-rcturing, Steam's Wine is always found of great value. By gently stimulating the appetitito it aids nutrition and restore strength. 9

We offer the best value in knives, forks, and spoons. Our prices for teaspoons are 5s and 76 6d per half-dozen ; dessert forks and spoons, 12s Gd per half-dozen; table forks and spoons, 16s 6d per half-dozen-all guaranteed electro-plate on pure nicke: silver; Sheffield table cutlery, warranted secure handles, 8s 6d and 10s 6d per hal;dozen. We can also show you a nice range in ease goods at lowest prices.—l l- . G. Marshall, Jeweller and Optician, Thames street.